Tyler Robinson, Exmo Shooter, and the Eternal Truth of the Gospel

In the aftermath of the senseless murder of Charlie Kirk, the media has rushed to label his killer, Tyler Robinson, as a “Mormon shooter.” Those who know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ understand how dishonest this is. Tyler Robinson was no faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had long since left the covenant path. He was what many call an exmo, someone who not only walks away from the Church but also turns bitterly against it.

The scriptures warn us that “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). The fruits of Robinson’s life, his choices, his rejection of the commandments, his embrace of a lifestyle contrary to God’s law,show clearly that he was not a disciple of Christ. To continue calling him a Mormon is to misrepresent the truth and to smear millions of Saints who are striving daily to follow the Savior.

Standards of Worthiness in the Lord’s Church

Membership in the Church is not about a label from birth. It is about living covenants made at baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and walking the covenant path through obedience. The Prophet Alma taught that “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). Preparation requires faith, repentance, and obedience.

To hold a temple recommend, a Latter-day Saint must affirm that they are living a chaste life, sustaining church leaders, and keeping the commandments of God. Robinson, who lived in a same-sex relationship with a transgender partner, could not have met these standards. He could not have held a recommend, entered the temple, or participated fully in the ordinances of salvation.

This is not about exclusion. It is about truth. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once taught, “Love without truth is hollow sentimentality. Truth without love can be harsh. But combined, love and truth bring the full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The Church’s Stance on Gender and Transgender Issues

The world is deeply confused about gender. But the restored gospel is not. The Family: A Proclamation to the World declares that “gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” This doctrine is clear and eternal.

The General Handbook of Instructions states that those who pursue gender transition cannot be baptized without First Presidency approval, cannot hold a temple recommend, and cannot serve in priesthood leadership. These guidelines are not expressions of cruelty, but of God’s eternal order. The Lord’s house is a house of order, not confusion (Doctrine and Covenants 132:8).

This means Robinson’s partner, Lance Twiggs, would not have been in full fellowship. He could not have held priesthood authority or entered the temple. These are not arbitrary rules of men. They are eternal laws revealed by God through His prophets.

Exmo Bitterness: A Familiar Pattern

Sadly, Robinson’s rejection of the church followed a familiar pattern. Those who leave often do not walk away quietly. Many become consumed by bitterness. Nephi saw this in vision when he described those who “fight against the Lamb of God” (1 Nephi 14:13). The adversary delights in turning those who once knew the truth into enemies of the truth.

The term “exmo” has become synonymous with mockery of the church, hatred of its leaders, and endless attempts to drag others away. Online communities of former members are filled with cynicism and scorn. Tyler Robinson lived in that spirit. His choices and his hatred for Christianity were not the fruit of Mormonism but of rejecting it.

The Spirit of Antichrist

The Book of Mormon warns against those who deny Christ. Sherem, Korihor, and others arose in ancient times, teaching against the doctrines of Christ and seeking to lead believers astray. Alma identified them plainly: “And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor” (Alma 30:12).

Tyler Robinson’s life followed this same pattern. He rejected Christ, embraced radical ideologies, and turned against the church that had once taught him the gospel. His bitterness and violence reveal the influence of that same spirit of Antichrist.

We should not be surprised. The Apostle Paul warned that in the last days, “men shall be lovers of their own selves… disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy… despisers of those that are good” (2 Timothy 3:2–3). Robinson’s life is a tragic example of prophecy fulfilled.

Charlie Kirk as a Witness of Truth

Charlie Kirk was not a member of the LDS Church, but he stood boldly for principles we hold dear: faith, family, freedom, and truth. He defended life. He spoke openly about God. He warned against the very ideologies that shaped Robinson.

His death makes him a kind of martyr — one who gave his life because he refused to compromise with the lies of the world. In the Book of Mormon we read of Captain Moroni, who “did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country” (Alma 48:11). Charlie Kirk had that same spirit. His murder is a sobering reminder that the war between good and evil is real, and those who stand boldly will be opposed.

The Eternal Perspective

As Latter-day Saints, we see more than just headlines. We know that every soul is precious to God. Robinson chose a path of rebellion, but even he is a child of Heavenly Parents. Christ’s Atonement is infinite, and the door of repentance remains open to all who will humble themselves.

At the same time, we cannot ignore the warnings of scripture. Jacob taught that those who reject Christ “become devils, angels to a devil” (2 Nephi 9:9). The adversary delights in the destruction of souls, and Robinson’s descent into violence is evidence of that.

For the faithful, Charlie Kirk’s death should remind us of the urgency of the Lord’s work. The harvest is great, the field is white, and the need for disciples who are unashamed of Christ has never been greater.

Conclusion

Tyler Robinson was not Mormon. He was an exmo who rejected the teachings of Jesus Christ and the covenant path of the restored gospel. His life choices placed him outside of fellowship, and his actions revealed the bitterness that so often follows apostasy.

The media will not tell you this because they do not want the truth. They want to smear the church, to confuse the public, and to shift blame away from the ideologies that actually shaped him. But the truth is clear for those who have eyes to see.

Charlie Kirk’s death is tragic, but it is also a call to action. It reminds us that we are in the midst of a spiritual war, a war prophesied in the scriptures, a war between Christ and Antichrist, between truth and deception, between light and darkness. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must stand firm, anchored in doctrine, sustained by covenants, and filled with charity for all.

The world will grow darker. The lies will grow louder. But the light of the gospel will not be overcome. As the Savior promised, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).